Jeremiah 3:15-17 - The blog of pastor.ctj

  "The Platter" November 2001, the Vanderbilt Hotel. There was a couple at the function. Your average Woody Allen looking rich guy, mid 50's I would guess, and his 30-something girlfriend.  She was wearing an extremely tight and ugly dress. They stood out for a couple of reasons: 1) The dress was a silver and black striped monstrosity, clearly not for an elegant affair. Kind of trashy, actually(and as it turned out, this was appropriate ) 2) Their behavior was wantonly sexual on the dance floor. They took 'Dry humping' to a new level. At one point coming dangerously close to knocking over the wedding cake with their arrhythmic gyrations. It got progressively worse as the night wore on, and by our 3rd set: Summer turned her back to the dance floor when they came out. Finally,the inevitable. The Music, the Liquor, the lust proved too much for our couple, and the woman began to pull her dress up as she danced, lower and lower she crouched, higher and hi...

Disclaimer: The following story is an actual event, as all of the vignettes in the 'Clubdate Singer Speaks' series are. For 8 years, I was a member of one of the top Orchestras in the nation. Though it was an enjoyable time, it was also at times, quite painful. I took to writing initially to assuage my distress, and this is one of those times when the pen (or keyboard) proved to be a healing tool. I have considered publishing this series, and would appreciate your thoughts...   “Mandingo” - 2002 I’m sure that’s what’s on her mind as she watches me. Or perhaps Jungle fever… I listen to the words that I sing, somehow detached…  “I feel a change, something moves, I scream your name, look what you got me doing…  Darling I, can’t get enough of your love babe…” Damn that Barry White! As I sing about his orgasm, my harem grows...  There are four of them now, standing in a half circle in front of me, swaying to the rhythm, leering at me. M...

Disclaimer: The following story is an actual event, as all of the vignettes in the 'Clubdate Singer Speaks' series are. For 8 years, I was a member of one of the top Orchestras in the nation. Though it was an enjoyable time, it was also at times, quite painful. I took to writing initially to assuage my distress, and this is one of those times when the pen (or keyboard) proved to be a healing tool. I have considered publishing this series, and would appreciate your thoughts... “Rosa Parks” - Summer 2003 The first time that I was told to use the back door to get into a Clubdate, I was devastated. I kept trying to convince myself that it had nothing to do with my color, and it probably didn’t. BUT, it still made my stomach knot up. Come to think of it, it’s not a color thing, more a class thing. I know because I had to enter A Major Black Hollywood Star (MBHS)’s house through the side door too.(see Chapter 17 for that story) The reality is this, on a Clu...

Disclaimer: The following story is an actual event, as all of the vignettes in the 'Clubdate Singer Speaks' series are. For 8 years, I was a member of one of the top Orchestras in the nation. Though it was an enjoyable time, it was also at times, quite painful. I took to writing initially to assuage my distress, and this is one of those times when the pen (or keyboard) proved to be a healing tool. I have considered publishing this series, and would appreciate your thoughts... "The Conflict” - Early 2004 (Please note the date of this writing. Much has changed since, but it reflects the state of mind I was in at that time) Though this series of essays is autobiographical, I and my situation are by no means unique... Saturday night : I stand behind the microphone, in the crowded, dimly lit club, singing songs that make your body move. I am the lead singer. Sunday Morning : I stand behind the microphone in the crowded, brightly lit church, singing songs tha...

Disclaimer: The following story is an actual event, as all of the vignettes in the 'Clubdate Singer Speaks' series are. For 8 years, I was a member of one of the top Orchestras in the nation. Though it was an enjoyable time, it was also at times, quite painful. I took to writing initially to assuage my distress, and this is one of those times when the pen (or keyboard) proved to be a healing tool. I have considered publishing this series, and would appreciate your thoughts... Pleasant reverie The Soho Penthouse*, April 2004 (* Not the real name of the venue) I heard her before I saw her. I was around the wall, in the shadows by the elevator. I had just come through the freight entrance into the lobby, and she was coming into the lobby through the main entrance. From the sound, I knew what I would see before I laid eyes on her. I was not far off. Hard walking, unaccustomed to high-heeled shoes, fairly unattractive bottle blond in a black dress that should have stayed on...

Disclaimer: The following story is an actual event, as all of the vignettes in the 'Clubdate Singer Speaks' series are. For 8 years, I was a member of one of the top Orchestras in the nation. Though it was an enjoyable time, it was also at times, quite painful. I took to writing initially to assuage my distress, and this is one of those times when the pen (or keyboard) proved to be a healing tool. I have considered publishing this series, and would appreciate your thoughts... "Oseh Shalom" -New York City Subway - November 2005 So, I was on my way to rehearsal one night, riding the L train. I took the train going in the opposite direction, and got off at 6th avenue to catch the train going my way (easier to board when you get on earlier). As I'm standing on the platform, I see/hear musicians. Two Elderly Jewish men playing traditional Jewish songs (on violin and accordion). As they were finishing ‘Oseh Shalom’ (He who makes peace), I put a dollar ...

Disclaimer: The following story is an actual event, as all of the vignettes in the 'Clubdate Singer Speaks' series are. For 8 years, I was a member of one of the top Orchestras in the nation. Though it was an enjoyable time, it was also at times, quite painful. I took to writing initially to assuage my distress, and this is one of those times when the pen (or keyboard) proved to be a healing tool. I have considered publishing this series, and would appreciate your thoughts... ‘Inhalation’ -  (assimilation) 2002 The bride appears from an outer chamber. As she enters the ballroom, half of the guests gasp and watch in awe as she seems to glide across the room: a vision in brightly colored, ornately decorated silks. The other half of the room nods appreciatively, their approval more subdued, but infinitely more important to her, as this is her family, and she is about to perform the ’Paeback’ a portion of the traditional Korean marriage rite. It is the introduction c...

Disclaimer: The following story is an actual event, as all of the vignettes in the 'Clubdate Singer Speaks' series are. For 8 years, I was a member of one of the top Orchestras in the nation. Though it was an enjoyable time, it was also at times, quite painful. I took to writing initially to assuage my distress, and this is one of those times when the pen (or keyboard) proved to be a healing tool. I have considered publishing this series, and would appreciate your thoughts... 'Transformations…'  -  10/15/04 Thank God for Viagra…….. Yeah, I know where your mind is right now, but it ain’t like that. A brother is perfectly capable, thank you. What I mean to say, is that I want to thank all those older gentlemen who are using the 'little blue pill'. Right On y’all! You see, I played the Waldorf this week, a party that Pfizer threw to thank its 25 year employees. They have hired us for the past couple of years to play the party. Why is this ...

Disclaimer: The following story is an actual event, as all of the vignettes in the 'Clubdate Singer Speaks' series are. For 8 years, I was a member of one of the top Orchestras in the nation. Though it was an enjoyable time, it was also at times, quite painful. I took to writing initially to assuage my distress, and this is one of those times when the pen (or keyboard) proved to be a healing tool. I have considered publishing this series, and would appreciate your thoughts...   "Soul Sister, White Sugar* " - Summer 2003 *With apologies to Sam & Dave She had the sweetest smile on her face, even as the most ridiculous words came out of her mouth. The band was hot, so was the night. Maybe that's why she drank a little too much. Actually I hope she was drunk. I don't blame her really, in fact I wasn't offended. She meant well. Really. "You know, I was black in a past life. I know because I have rhythm, and I like soul food. My friend...

Disclaimer: The following story is an actual event, as all of the vignettes in the 'Clubdate Singer Speaks' series are. For 8 years, I was a member of one of the top Orchestras in the nation. Though it was an enjoyable time, it was also at times, quite painful. I took to writing initially to assuage my distress, and this is one of those times when the pen (or keyboard) proved to be a healing tool. I have considered publishing this series, and would appreciate your thoughts... The following occurred several years ago... Please note that MBHS is an acronym for Major Black Hollywood Star. I have not put her name in because she is globally recognizable, and I do not want to get into any drama. But it is all true…. It began innocently enough. My friend LG called me one evening and asked if I’d be interested in going to sing at MBHS’s house for her Christmas party. We were going to be part of a 6 person a Capella group, singing traditional Gospel songs and Spirituals for MBHS, her f...